Radiative corrections to the rho parameter versus the top quark mass

A simple scheme is introduced in order to discuss the interplay between the ρ parameter, the top quark mass and the structure of the Higgs sector in the standard model. To parametrize a smooth deviation from minimality in the standard model radiative corrections to the ρ parameter are computed in the presence of a Higgs triplet with a large mass splitting. The possibility of disentangling tree level effect from radiative corrections is discussed and it is suggested that the new contributions could mix thoroughly with heavy top effects. (orig.)